Keith Jardine

Keith ‘The Dean Of Mean’ Jardine – MMA Profile

Keith Jardine, nicknamed “The Dean Of Mean,” began fighting for the UFC in 2005. At age 32, he is one of the true veterans of MMA, climbing into the cage for his first professional MMA fight in 2001. With a unique fighting style that relies heavily on Gaidojutsu and kickboxing, Jardine has built a record of 13 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw. His drive and intensity during training and bouts reflects his dedication to the sport.

Jardine distinguished himself during high school, excelling in both wrestling and football. After high school, he attended Pierce College and New Mexico Highlands University, where he eventually earned his degree in Human Performance and Sport. Throughout college, he continued to play football, enjoying its physical intensity.

After graduating, he immersed himself into kickboxing and boxing. Though he was successful at both sports, Jardine couldn’t earn enough money to live. So, needing an income, he took a number of jobs including that of debt collector, football coach, and bounty hunter. It was during this time that Jardine became interested in wrestling again, having left it behind after graduating from high school.

In 2000, he met a man named Greg Jackson who operated a training facility called Jackson’s Submission Fighting. This was Jardine’s first close encounter with MMA. He felt an immediate connection and soon began training at Jackson’s gym. The following year, he entered the cage and defeated his first MMA opponent, Amir Rahnavardi.

Time passed quickly and Jardine began collecting a record that attracted the attention of Dana White, President of the UFC. White invited him to join the cast of The Ultimate Fighter for Season 2, effectively launching his career in the UFC. Thus far, Jardine’s record since joining the UFC has been mixed. While he has defeated tough fighters such as Mike Whitehead, Forrest Griffin, and former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell, he has lost against Stephan Bonnar and most recently, Wanderlei Silva.

Beyond MMA and the UFC, Jardine considers the American soldiers who fight overseas to be his heroes. And as he continues to battle other fighters in the cage, his respect and admiration for those soldiers drives him toward success.